Libyan parties to sign agreement on unity government on December 16: UN envoy

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Sunday 13 Dec 2015 - 11:48 Makkah mean time-2-3-1437 Libyan parties meeting in Tunis Tunis (IINA) – UN Special Envoy for Libya Martin Kobler announced Friday that the parties to the country’s political dialogue process have agreed to set December 16 as the target date to sign the UN-facilitated agreement on forming a national unity government, UN News Center reported. The agreement aims to bring an end to that crisis that has left nearly 2.4 million Libyans in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. Briefing the Security Council via videoconference just after two-day deliberations on the issue wrapped up in Tunis, Kobler, who is also the head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), said the talks in the Tunisian capital had culminated in agreement on a number of key points. Kobler said that the political settlement should be held on the basis of the Libyan Political Agreement negotiated within the framework of the UNSMIL-facilitated political dialogue. He added that notwithstanding the legitimate concerns by some of the parties regarding some elements of the Libyan Political Agreement, there would be no reopening of the text. Additionally, Kobler said the participants of the political dialogue, numbering up to 40 men and women, decided to publicly announce 16 December as a target date for their signature and lastly, they had unanimously called on all political and security actors to create a conducive environment to enable a future Government of National Accord to assume its responsibilities in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, without threat or intimidation. He appealed to the sense of patriotism and statesmanship of Libya’s leaders to give consideration to the country’s higher national interests and the long-term welfare of its people. Their support to the agreement “will be the first step on Libya’s road to peace, security and prosperity.” AB/IINA